A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. Mainz for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Kaunas or Mainz?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kaunas and Mainz. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a vibrant, cultural, and active city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and food.

Mainz

Mainz is a historic, quaint, and charming town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Kaunas and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Mainz?

You'll generally find more things to do in Kaunas than Mainz. Kaunas is bigger than Mainz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Kaunas is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Mainz is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Mainz is more touristy than Kaunas and is popular for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Kaunas is well known for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town. Also, Kaunas is famous for The Kaunas Old Town.

How is Kaunas different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mainz and Kaunas. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kaunas or Mainz?

Mainz is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Mainz. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Kaunas or Mainz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mainz is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Mainz is an experience not to be missed. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kaunas. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

Is Kaunas or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Kaunas is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Kaunas or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Mainz is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Kaunas is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Mainz?

Mainz is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

Many visitors go to Mainz to go shopping. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or Mainz Better for Families?

Kaunas is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Kaunas or Mainz Better for Couples?

Mainz is notable for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

Mainz is a very popular place to visit for couples. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Kaunas and Mainz are notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Mainz. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Kaunas or Mainz Better for Students?

Mainz is notable for students. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Mainz. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Plenty of students visit Kaunas. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

Is Kaunas or Mainz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Mainz is notable for its public transit. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Mainz. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

Kaunas has some public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Is Kaunas or Mainz a more walkable city?

Mainz is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Mainz on foot. The town is easily explored on foot.

Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

For even more information, also check out Is Kaunas Worth Visiting? and Is Mainz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Kaunas or Mainz. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Mainz due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kaunas, and 2-4 days is enough time in Mainz.

Couples should spend more time in Mainz than Kaunas. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Mainz that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mainz than Kaunas if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Mainz.

One day in Kaunas or Mainz?

In Kaunas, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this vibrant destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Mainz. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Kaunas or Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kaunas. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Mainz is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Kaunas or Mainz?

Kaunas is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Kaunas. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mainz. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Kaunas or Mainz?

You'll find food and nightlife around the young destination of Kaunas. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Mainz. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaunas and Mainz, we can see that Mainz is more expensive. And not only is Kaunas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kaunas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kaunas and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Mainz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mainz than you might in Kaunas.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kaunas Expensive? and Is Mainz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Mainz?

Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Mainz. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas and Mainz, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Kaunas or Mainz?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kaunas or Mainz in the Summer?

Both Mainz and Kaunas during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Mainz because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kaunas is around the same temperature as Mainz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kaunas in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Mainz averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In Mainz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kaunas. In the summer, Kaunas often gets more sunshine than Mainz. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets more rain in July than Mainz. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Mainz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Mainz. The autumn months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.

In October, Kaunas is generally cooler than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 8°C (46°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz during autumn. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Mainz. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kaunas or Mainz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Mainz. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Mainz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Mainz. It's quite cold in Kaunas in the winter. Kaunas is much colder than Mainz in the winter. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Mainz fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

In the winter, Kaunas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in January than Mainz. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Mainz in the Spring?

Both Mainz and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Mainz in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Kaunas is much colder than Mainz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kaunas in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Mainz averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz during spring. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Mainz. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mainz and Kaunas